People who do evil things are all around us. They lie. They steal. They kill. They deceive. They destroy. When they have their way, they will do terrible things to those who live in the kingdom of God. What should you do about them? Is it up to you to somehow identify them and remove them from the world? If so, by what standard should you take such action?

With a simple parable Jesus assures us that it’s the Lord’s responsibility (not yours!) to uproot and destroy the Evil One and those who do his bidding. Jesus and his angels are going to do that “at the end of the age” – on Judgment Day. That’s when all evil and those who do it will be eliminated. That’s also when “the righteous will shine like the sun.”

June 28, 2020 - Matthew 10:5a,21-35 - "Great Peace Always Comes at a Greater Cost" by Living Savior

June 21, 2020 - Matthew 9:35-10:8 - "What's the Good News?" - Pastor Zell by Living Savior

Today we see people posturing in just about just baout every facet of life. Whether it's name-dropping or virtue-signaling or comparing their morals, politics, behavior, etc. . . . it's easy to put ourselves in a position where some people are below us. But when God sees beyond the outward appearances, he doesn't desire people who try to appear "better" in some way. Such people have no need for a Savior. Instead, he looks for hearts that need mercy. Such hearts that are filled by his mercy are inclined to show it to others. This is the Savior who shows his "posture" by reclining with sinners just like us; and he invites us to do the same. This saving mercy attracts us and many others to enjoy this better reality together.

Our recent isolation has been a helpful reminder that being alone was never Jesus’ intention for his people. Rather than leaving us stranded as individual Christians, Christ has woven his people into the beautifully ornamented fabric that is his Church. As members of that Church, we are far better together than alone.

Our recent isolation has been a helpful reminder that being alone was never Jesus’ intention for his people. Rather than leaving us stranded as individual Christians, Christ has woven his people into the beautifully ornamented fabric that is his Church. As members of that Church, we are far better together than alone.

Each Christian is unique, blessed with individual gifts, abilities, and interests. Yet our Lord Jesus has bound us together by the Holy Spirit. Working through Sacrament and Word, the Spirit fills our hearts with the only faith that saves as together we drink the life-giving water he freely provides and testify to the name of the Savior.

Each Christian is unique, blessed with individual gifts, abilities, and interests. Yet our Lord Jesus has bound us together by the Holy Spirit. Working through Sacrament and Word, the Spirit fills our hearts with the only faith that saves as together we drink the life-giving water he freely provides and testify to the name of the Savior.

May 24, 2020 - 1 Peter 5:6-10 - "Hope Is Your Greatest Strength" by Living Savior

Jesus said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” At the time, many who heard his words remained in spiritual darkness; they rejected Jesus’ claim and tossed him aside. That has not changed. Although the Lord Jesus remains the Cornerstone of his Church, many people stumble over his claim and choose to build their hopes upon other things.

We gather this morning not because we are wiser or superior in any way. Rather, in his great mercy our God has “called us out of darkness into his wonderful light.” He chose us. He appointed us to be his royal priests. By the death and resurrection of his Son, God redeemed us from sin and death and made us to be his special possession now and forever. In fact, even in a world that rejects or ignores him, God continues to build his Church, day by day adding one “living stone” after another to his “spiritual house.”

It’s no wonder we will voice our Easter hope and declare God’s praises today and all our lives!